Western cyclone. [volume] (Nicodemus, Kan.) 1886-1887, 1887-02-24
WAS IT DOROTHY?


called ''Uncle Ben," shook his head at
Frank Worrall's levity.
MAYBE am" said he, "but we're
not to blame for our convictions. I
can't help mine, anyhow. And l
couldn't any more marry in the face of
my promise to Hephsibah than l could
Join the Mormons!''
t'Paulina Pepper is a pretty GIRL"
said Frank, ''and good girl, too. Al
though not young"
'sIf she was she wouldn't be suitable
to mer' said Mr.. Buttonball. II don't
deny that it's all true enough, what
you say. But you perceive, l am the
victim of circumstances.
circumstances be hangedr' ejacu-
lated Frank Worrall, losing his temper
at last and banging the door behind
him, as he hurried out of the room.
Mr.. Buttonball again shook his head,
took his silver spectacles out of their
case, and unfolded the newspaper.
"Polly Pepper would make a nice
wife," he thought to himself. GAS
plump and round and fresh-colored as
September peach, or a cabbage rose;
and woman, too, that thoroughly I'M
derstands housekeeping. almost wish
hadn't promised my dear departed
Hephsibah never to marry again! But
it's all past and over and it can't be UNI
done, more's the pity!'
''Isn't he fool!'' said Dorothy Mar
tin. land is he really so superstitious
about breaking the promise that that
unreasonable virago of wife exacted
from himP"
Enthusiastically he ISL said Frank
Worrall. II suppose he actually be-
lieves that my Aunt Hephsibah would
haunt him, if he married again, with
out her express permission. For man
Of ordinary intelligence, Uncle Button
ball is superstitious.
''HOwP" questioned Dorothy.
''Oh, he sees winding sheets in the
candle, believes there will be death
in the family if dog chances to howl
under the window and would sooner
cut off his right hand than begin hay
ing or 60 on journey of Friday"
Frank" hesitatingly began Doro-
thy.
..Well!"
what sort of a woman was your
Aunt HephsibahP You know never
saw her. She died before | came to
Hopton to live"
"A little, fat woman, with spectacles
and brown fore-top, who always wore
brown bingham and talked through
her nose. | forgot, though-she had a
monstrosity of a cap, with frill two
inches wide all around it, and q colos-
sal bow of snuff-colored ribbon perched
on the very top-a guy of cap, only
tit for a scarecrOw."
mot at all like Paulina Pepper"
said Dorothy. And Paulina really
likes Mr.. Buttonball-and she needs a
home, poor thing. Not to speak of
Mr.. Buttonball's evident admiration
for Paulina. 1t would certainly be
match if
IF it wasn't for the departed saint
in snuff-colored ribbons" said Frank,
with an irreverent imitation of his
Uncle ButtonbalPs peculiar intonation
when speaking Of his deceased wife.
poor Paulinar' said Dorothy.
.'And poor Uncle Buttonball," echo
ed Frank Worrall. <'Upon the whole,
darling, it looks like hard case"
"Past eleven O'clock" said Uncle
Buttonball, looking up at the clock
over the rims of the silver spectacleS.
"Well, hadn't an idea it was so late.
And showing and. blowing like all pos
sessed, and the wind bowling down the
chimney tit to set mans teeth on
edge. Just such night as poor
Hephsibah died four years ago, and
bless me-, with slight cold shiver
down his spinal column, If it amt
the 29th of November-the identical
anniversary of the sad event. Poor
Hephsy," folding his hands and look
ing thoughtfully into the fire; II hope
she's happy in the other world. She
never took much comfort in this, what
with flies and dust and poor kitchen
help"
And then Mr.. Buttonball fell into
doze or reverie-he never could be
quite certain which-from which he
was aroused by the old kitchen clock
striking twelve.
Midnight! 1t amt possible!' cried
Mr.. Buttonball, chilly, uncomfortable,
and snperstitious. ''And the fire cen
Almost out. guess I'll rake it up and
60 to bed"
But as he rose with n sort of rheu-
matte stiffness from his chair the door
leading from the buttery creaked
slightly. slow, heavy footstep sounded
on the floor. and looking around with
startled and dilated eyes, Mr.. Button
ball beheld-the departed Hephsibah.
BENEDICT spoke out the culver
ing and nasal voice. Benedict! Bene-
dictr'